Abstract: TRPV4 activation increases vascular permeability and can be triggered by both chemical and mechanical cues. This activation of TRPV4 can contribute to a number of pathological conditions, e.g., edema, inflammation, hypertension, and/or hyperalgesia. Described herein are methods and compositions relating to inhibition of mechanically-induced TRPV4 activation, e.g., for the treatment of pulmonary edema, edema, inflammation, hypertension, and/or hyperalgesia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the identification of clinical risk in patients having, or suspected of having, influenza. The invention also relates to methods for distinguishing between patients having influenza or viral pneumonia from patients having a symptomatically similar condition. The methods of the invention comprise determination of the level of expression of interferon alpha inducible protein 27 (IF127) in a biological sample from a patient having, or suspected of having, influenza. Kits comprising suitable components for the performance of the methods are also provided by the invention. The invention allows stratification of patients into groups defining clinical risk, for example groups based on the severity of risk to the long-term health of the subject.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for treating cancer. For example, methods and materials for identifying antigens and combinations of antigens that can be used to treat cancer as well as combinations of antigens having the ability to reduce established tumors within a mammal (e.g., a human) are provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing a library of tagged nucleic acid fragments including contacting a population of cells directly with a lysis reagent having one or more protease to generate a cell lysate; inactivating the protease to generate an inactivated cell lysate, and applying a transposase and a transposon end composition containing a transferred strand to the inactivated cell lysate under conditions wherein the target nucleic acid and the transposon end composition undergo a transposition reaction.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and kits for preparing sequencing library to detect chromosomal abnormality using cell-free DNA (cfDNA) without the need of first isolating the cfDNA from a liquid fraction of a test sample. In some embodiments, the method involves reducing the binding between the cfDNA and nucleosomal proteins without unwinding the cfDNA from the nucleosomal proteins. In some embodiments, the reduction of binding may be achieved by treating with a detergent or heating. In some embodiments, the method further involves freezing and thawing the test sample before reducing the binding between the cfDNA and the nucleosomal proteins. In some embodiments, the test sample is a peripheral blood sample from a pregnant woman including cfDNA of both a mother and a fetus, wherein the methods may be used to detect fetal chromosomal abnormality such as copy number variation.

Abstract: This disclosure is in the area of research and therapeutics. In certain embodiments, it provides methods to assist in the purification of cell mixtures, e.g., cardiomyocytes, using molecular beacons targeting cell-type specific RNA, e.g. mRNA.

Abstract: A method for detecting genes sensitive to high-level ionizing radiation and genes detected by the method. More specifically, genes sensitive to high-level ionizing radiation discovered in a carcinogenic entity and verified in a normal entity are detected, by subjecting a cancerous AKR/J mouse and a normal ICR mouse to high-level radiation. Thymus is collected therefrom and fatty acid metabolism-related genes are classified via microarray processing of the thymus. The genes are amplified and the levels of gene expression are measured. Thus, a gene having a specific reaction to radiation can be accurately detected by preventing the interference of confounding variables.

Abstract: There is provided a method of identifying candidate agents capable of modulating interaction between a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is ZO-2/TJP2 or a functional variant thereof and the second polypeptide is a Snail zinc finger transcription factor family member or a functional variant thereof.

Abstract: Herein are described a set of novel specific human enhancers for specific forebrain cell types used to study and select for human neural progenitor cells. This approach enables the ability to generate interneurons from human ES, iPS and iN cells, making them available for human transplantation and for molecular/cellular analyzes. These approaches are also directly applicable to generating other neuronal cell types, such as cortical and striatal projection neurons, which have implications for many human diseases.

Abstract: Compositions for transient but prolonged exogenous mRNA expression through the use of the transcription system of negative strand RNA viruses, and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system contains only RNAs and does not include any DNA molecules. The compositions typically include an RNA template unit (rTeUn) that includes a virus regulatory sequences operably linked to a coding sequence of interest. The rTeUn is typically transfected to a host cell's cytoplasm in the presence of virus expression system proteins that mediate replication of the rTeUn and transcription of the transgene. The rTeUn RNA bonded to viral proteins exhibits high resistance to degradation, prolonged duration of expression, and is free of viral genes. The compositions can be used to reprogram cell. For example, the compositions and methods can be used to redirected lymphocytes to target cancer cells, or to dedifferentiate somatic cells into induce pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of designing an optimized gene which comprises altering a nucleotide sequence of a target protein gene, so that only preferential codons with high frequency of use in human cells are selected and a GC content of not less than 60% is achieved. A gene design method which involves the feature “only preferential codons with high frequency of use are selected and a GC content of not less than 60% is achieved” can be established as a general rule for preparing proteins with high expression level, in order to obtain chemically synthesized genes for proteins capable of high-level expression in eukaryotes.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to compositions and methods for the genetic modification of cells. In particular, the disclosure relates to CRISPR reagents and the use of such reagents.

Abstract: Recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) capsid proteins are provided. Methods for generating the recombinant adeno-associated viral capsid proteins and a library from which the capsids are selected are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying a specific type and/or state of a mammalian cell in a sample, the method comprising a) analyzing the relative amount of accessible chromatin in regions that are specific for a cell-type and/or cellular state in the genome of the cell, b) comparing the relative amount of accessible chromatin in the regions with the relative amount of accessible chromatin in regions in the genome of the cell that are unspecific for the cell-type and/or cellular state, and c) deducing the specific type and/or state of said mammalian cell in the sample based on such comparison. The identifying further comprises a relative quantification of the specific cell type and/or state. The method can further comprise a diagnosis of a predisposition to a disease or a disease based on such identification. Kits and markers in regions of accessible chromatin are also described.

Abstract: Recombinant cells and recombinant organisms persistently expressing nonstandard amino acids (NSAAs) are provided. Methods of making recombinant cells and recombinant organisms dependent on persistently expressing NSAAs for survival are also provided. These methods may be used to make safe recombinant cells and recombinant organisms and/or to provide a selective pressure to maintain one or more reassigned codon functions in recombinant cells and recombinant organisms.

Abstract: It is disclosed herein that (a) an anti-tumor DNA vaccine delivered using a MIP DNA vector is a less effective tumor treatment than the corresponding anti-tumor DNA vaccine delivered using a conventional pDNA vector, despite the MIP DNA vector eliciting a higher frequency of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells; and (b) tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells in animals immunized with the MIP DNA vector express higher levels of the immune checkpoint protein LAG-3 than animals immunized with a conventional pDNA vector, while the expression levels of other immune checkpoint proteins was the same for both groups. Based on these findings, improved methods and compositions for administering DNA vaccines are disclosed. Specifically, DNA vaccines delivered with MIP DNA are administered along with a LAG-3 pathway blocking agent, resulting in a more effective vaccine-induced cellular immune response.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions of transcription activator-like effectors transcription factors and methods of using said compositions for inducing gene expression of mammalian genes.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of nucleic acid samples for analysis. The invention may be particularly useful for single stranded samples. Embodiments of the invention involve the attachment of double stranded or hairpin oligonucleotides using template independent polymerase enzymes in the preparation of nucleic acid sequencing libraries.

Abstract: Unbiased, genomewide and highly sensitive methods for detecting mutations, e.g., off-target mutations, induced by engineered nucleases.

Abstract: Provided is a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication by increasing the expression of a target gene of a notch signaling pathway, for example, hairy and enhancer of split-1 (Hes1), hairy and enhancer of split-5 (Hes5), hairy/enhancer-of-split related with YRPW motif protein 1 (Hey1) and hairy/enhancer-of-split related with YRPW motif protein 2 (Hey2), and a method and use for treating an HCMV infectious disease using the same. The composition of the present invention has an excellent effect in inhibiting the HCMV replication, and therefore a target and a therapeutic agent for preventing or treating various HCMV-related diseases caused by the HCMV infection and a use for treating the HCMV infectious disease may be provided.